$100 Toilet Rebates

Toilets generally account for 30% of the water used inside your home. A new toilet will create instant, significant and permanent water savings. As of July 1, 2012, the City will only offer the rebate on WaterSense labeled toilets.
A WaterSense toilet has been verified by a third party to be at least 20% more efficient than standard fixtures, while maintaining the same performance. Local retailers carry these low flow toilets in a number of styles and price points. They can even be found for less than $100.

Rain Barrel Rebates

Generally sized between 50 and 60 gallons, a rain barrel is a container connected to a downspout on your home, office or garage. Its purpose is to capture some of the precipitation that lands on the roof and store it for future use. A barrel is often a container recycled from a previous life in the food industry, or it can be a brand new container made for this purpose. If you use a recycled container make sure that it is food grade. Do not use a barrel that previously held chemicals or other possible toxins.

What are the benefits of using a Rain Barrel?

Using harvested rainwater can reduce the amount of treated water pulled from the community’s water supply. Consider all the ways you use water outside: washing your bike or car, watering potted plants, irrigating a landscaped bed, or any number of other activities. The water you use for these does not need to be potable, or, treated to the standard of drinking water. Captured rainwater will do the job just as well. In addition, rainwater captured in a barrel can still be used outdoors even when we’re under drought restrictions.

Runoff Reduction

Stormwater runoff is rain or snowmelt that flows over the ground and into the City's stormwater system or directly into creeks and streams. As this runoff flows, it can pick up oils and greases, heavy metals, pesticides, fertilizers, trash and debris, sediment, animal wastes, and other pollutants. Since our storm drains do not connect to water treatment facilities, but rather drain untreated into local waterways, these pollutants

are carried along with stormwater runoff into the Rivanna River. As a result, contaminated stormwater runoff is a major source of pollution to our local waterways. By capturing some of that precipitation and redirecting it to a slow dispersion over our yards, where soil and plants can filter toxins, we reduce pollutants and slow the surge of water that can cause flooding during an intense storm.

How should I set up my rain barrel?

The two most important considerations in setting up your rain barrel are a stable base and proper overflow control. Water is very heavy, over 8lbs per gallon. A full 55-gallon barrel can weigh over 450 lbs! It’s important that you level the ground under your barrel and create a secure base using a material such as concrete blocks.

Your barrel should come with an overflow outlet installed near the top. This is where excess water will escape should your barrel start to overflow. The simplest method to deal with overflow is to attach a long hose or tubing to the overflow outlet and direct it well away from the foundation of your home. Another option is to use a short piece of tube and connect multiple barrels together, as shown below. This is called “chaining” and increases the amount of your rainwater storage while decreasing the chance of overflows.

Once you have a secure base, determine how high up you will need to cut the downspout (most downspouts can easily be cut with a hacksaw). Once cut, you can leave as is, or add a flexible gutter piece to direct flow to the barrel opening.

Some other considerations:

o You’ll want your barrel at least high enough that you can easily fit a watering can or bucket under the spigot.

o Consider connecting a soaker hose to your spigot. Run it to a mulched plant bed and leave in the “on” position during the rainiest weeks.

o Remember to empty and disconnect your rain barrel in winter, to prevent damage from freezing

o There are diverter valves on the market that can be used to direct barrel overflow back into your downspout system. Configurations vary.

o If mosquitoes are an issue, use a product like Mosquito Dunk for added control. You may also try adding a little vegetable oil to the barrel. It will create a coating at the water surface that disrupts the mosquito lifecycle.

o Rooftops made of asbestos, asphalt or composite shingles, galvanized metal and sheet metal may leach toxins into your rainwater runoff. It is not recommended that you use such runoff for irrigating food crops.

· Rebates are funded as monies are available; once depleted no more rebates are available.

Do I have to buy my rain barrel from a certain vendor?

No, a barrel purchased from any vendor is eligible, so long as a valid receipt is presented. We encourage you to look first to local vendors who have a variety of styles in a range of prices. A partial list of local retailers can be found here.

How many times can I apply for the rebate?

Up to two (2) $30 rebates may be issued for each service address.

What if my barrel costs less than $30?

$30 is the maximum rebate; a qualified barrel bought for less will be rebated for the purchase amount.